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By David Wise ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ Jul 27, 2023
After looking at just about every smart smoke detector out there, we bought the 6 best models currently on the market today and tested them head-to-head all to help you find the perfect addition to your smart home. We installed and connected these alarms to a series of different smart home systems, rating and scoring their overall ease of use, listening to alarm after alarm after alarm in the process. Check out the full review to see which smart smoke detector is the easiest and the simplest to install, which has the best smart home integration, and which one has the most features.
There are many factors to keeping your home safe; smoke detectors are only one piece of the puzzle. Our home security reviews cover everything from the best smart locks to our favorite home security cameras. We've also tested lots of smart home devices and appliances if you're looking to keep your home connected. If you don't need a smart smoke detector, we've done extensive research and testing on regular smoke detectors, too.
Editor's Note: We updated this article on July 27, 2023, to share info on the updated 5th Gen Echo Dot.
Smoke Sensor Type: Photoelectric | Hardwired or Battery Option: Hardwired
REASONS TO BUY
Integrated Alexa-enabled speaker
Can connect with many existing hardwired smoke alarm systems
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
More difficult setup process to link accounts
The Onelink Safe & Sound is the smoke detector that does it all. In addition to being a photoelectric smoke detector, it is also outfitted with an integrated carbon monoxide sensor, speaker system, and the Alexa voice assistant built right in. It can be linked to various music streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, or iHeartRadio, as well as your Amazon Alexa account. This means you have the ability to intelligently manage other smart home devices, stream music, and even do your shopping all through your smoke detector. The Onelink Safe & Sound can also be combined with a compatible existing wired interconnected alarm system.
Getting this unit up and running takes a little more effort because you must link your apps and accounts. And it's by no means inexpensive, though we consider all the extra features and functionalities well worth the investment. If you're an Alexa or Apple HomeKit user seeking an all-in-one smart home solution, the Onelink Safe & Sound is our top recommendation.
The OneLink Safe & Sound is a bit more involved to install and pair.
Smoke Sensor Type: Split-Spectrum | Hardwired or Battery Option: Both
REASONS TO BUY
Quick install
Seamless integration with other Nest/Google smart home products
Motion-activated night light
REASONS TO AVOID
Can't connect to existing non-Nest smoke detectors
Pricey
If your home is already equipped with other Google Nest products, we recommend the Google Nest Protect. This top-tier smart smoke detector features dual sensors to detect both flaming and smoldering fires, as well as an integrated carbon monoxide detector and escape light. The setup is simple and integrates with other Nest devices seamlessly, with convenient features like configuring your heating system to automatically turn off if it detects increased levels of carbon monoxide.
Though it offers lots of functionality, the Nest Protect has a pretty expensive price tag slapped on it. If you combine the cost with the reality that it isn't compatible with other, less expensive alarms you may already own, you might wind up needing to purchase quite a few to set up a multi-alarm connected system. There are also some kinks that should hopefully get sorted out soon with the migration from Nest to Google accounts and the Works with Nest program. The Nest Protect is one of the best smart smoke detectors you can get if you are building a Google smart home or already have other Nest products.
The Protect works in tandem with Nest Cameras or Thermostats, allowing you to automatically record clips if triggered or turn off your heater if increased CO levels are measured.
Smoke Sensor Type: Ionization | Hardwired or Battery Option: Battery
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to install and configure
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Less intuitive status indicators
No direct smart home integration
The Kidde 21026044 Wireless is a great choice if you looked at the Nest Protect or the Onelink Safe & Sound and decided they were way outside of your budget. While this Kidde model isn't your typical smart smoke detector, we feel it warrants inclusion in this review since it allows you to simply and economically add a wireless interconnected series of smoke alarms throughout your home. This smoke detector is much cheaper than the premium models and allows you to build your system up to 24 devices — 18 of which can initiate the alarm for the whole system. The other 6 devices can be strobe lights or relay modules. Since you don't need to make accounts or download apps to connect, these detectors are simple to get set up.
Compared to other contenders, the Kidde 21026044 has limited features. If an alarm gets triggered, it doesn't send a notification to your phone, and the only way to turn off the sirens is to physically push the button located on one of the alarms. You can get around this by syncing it with a smart smoke alarm listener to add those functions, like the Ring or the Echo Dot using Alexa Guard. For shoppers looking to set up a smart multi-alarm system on a budget, the Kidde 21026044 and a smart listener are your best bet.
The 21026044 is a great way to set up a wireless interconnected alarm system on a budget.
New Version Available
Amazon released the 5th Gen Echo Dot since our testing, which has some upgrades to the audio for clearer vocals and a more vibrant listening experience. The Alexa Guard feature is still available. We're linking to the 5th gen model in our review.
If you aren't in a position where you can install a standalone smart smoke detector or don't want to be bothered with mounting one to a wall or ceiling, consider using Alexa Guard through an Echo Dot or other Alexa-enabled smart speakers. Alexa Guard will notify you if your Alexa device hears a smoke, carbon monoxide, or other alarm go off or if it hears glass break. You can then listen to a 10-second recorded clip or drop in on your Echo device to find out what's going on. All you need to do to activate this is say, "Alexa, I'm Leaving" once it's been enabled on your device.
Unfortunately, there are limits to how far Alexa Guard will take you. Since it isn't actually connected to your smoke detectors, you won't be able to hush them from your phone in the case of a false alarm. If your electrical power goes down or your WiFi network loses signal, it won't work either. On your way out of the house, it can also be easy to forget to activate or disable it through your Alexa. However, this is by far one of the cheapest, easiest, and least invasive options that will allow you to remotely monitor the smoke alarms in your home.
The Echo Dot -- or most other Alexa devices -- can add remote monitoring and smart alerts to your existing system at a very reduced price.
Smoke Sensor Type: Photoelectric | Hardwired or Battery Option: Both
REASONS TO BUY
Less expensive than other smart smoke alarms
Connects with some existing hardwired systems
REASONS TO AVOID
Finicky to integrate into other smart home systems
Harder to set up
If you have an Alexa or Apple HomeKit smart home system and don't need to add another Alexa-enabled speaker to your house, then the Onelink Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide is a good option. The cost is a bit less expensive than the Safe & Sound, and it's a good choice if you are shopping on a budget and already have an existing hardwired interconnected alarm system to which you want to add some remote monitoring.
However, it can be a bit harder to use this alarm as a trigger for other events in your smart home, such as turning on the lights in the case of an alarm. The battery-powered version also lacks a night light. You'll want to make sure that your existing non-smart smoke alarm system is compatible to ensure you get the functionality you want, since not all of them will trigger this alarm to send you push notifications in the event of an emergency. With all of these shortcomings in mind, if you're looking for a hardwired smart smoke alarm, the Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector is a decent budget option.
This alarm is a good way to add smart features to an Alexa or HomeKit smart home.
Smoke Sensor Type: N/A | Hardwired or Battery Option: Battery
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to set up
Inexpensive
REASONS TO AVOID
Must have existing Ring system to function
Limited features
If you already have a Ring home security system, instead of having a separate smart smoke alarm, you may want to consider adding the Ring Smart Smoke Alarm Listener. To be clear, this doesn't negate the need for a smoke alarm at all, but it does allow you to add remote monitoring at a much lower cost than pretty much any other option on the market. There are no tools required, so it's straightforward to set up, making it another good choice if you don't want to drill any holes in the wall.
However, you do need to at least have the Ring Base Station for this to function. Also, given that it is only a smart listener, you won't have the option to silence the alarms remotely. It's a great budget option if you already have a Ring system, but it probably isn't reason enough to go out and buy one in the first place.
The Ring Smoke Alarm Listener can only be used if you already have an existing Ring Security System.
Credit: David Wise
Why You Should Trust Us
We installed these products in a variety of different places to conduct side-by-side testing. We integrated them into various smart home systems, such as Google Home or Amazon Alexa, to try out all their different features and functions. In addition, we rated and compared the amount of time and effort required to install and configure each product and awarded points on their ease of use and different smoke detection abilities.
Our expert smart smoke detector reviewer, David Wise, has been professionally reviewing and testing consumer electronics and smart home products for over four years. He has formal training as a mechanical engineer and is an avid DIYer. He brings this experience to the design and implementation of our side-by-side smart smoke alarm testing process.
We tested all the best smoke alarms out there, including both smart and standard options.
Installing the mounting plate for the OneLink Smart Smoke + Carbon Monoxide using the included drywall anchors.
Trying out the different color options on the Safe & Sound.
Analysis and Test Results
We divided our testing and review process into a series of different ratings, including Ease of Installation and Setup, Emergency Detection, Other Features, and Smart Home Integration. The standout performers in each metric are discussed in the following sections.
Ease of Installation and Setup
The first thing we considered when evaluating performance is the time and hassle it took to install. Right off the bat, the Echo Dot/Alexa Guard and the Ring Smart Smoke Alarm Listener stood out for being particularly easy to set up — even more so if you have already been using Alexa or had the Ring Security System installed. You just need to plug in your Echo Dot and walk through the prompts, then enable the Guard Feature, and you're all set. The Ring Smart Smoke Alarm Listener is similar, as you just need to scan a QR code and do a quick test, and you're finished. However, your Ring Listener will need to be mounted close to your existing smoke alarms.
The Ring Smoke Alarm Listener must be installed in close proximity to your existing alarm.
Credit: David Wise
The Kidde 21026044 also has a straightforward setup since it's not necessary to download any apps or create an account. You'll need to attach the mounting plate with a pair of screws, but all you need to do to configure the interconnected alarm system is pick a combination of the 8 switches on the back. They will automatically link to any other smoke alarm with the same combination selected.
The wireless interlink capabilities are one of our favorite features of this alarm.
Credit: David Wise
The hardwired smoke alarms, like the Onelink Safe & Sound or the 120 VAC versions of the Nest Protect and the Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector can take a bit of extra effort to install, particularly if you don't already have wired smoke detectors in place. You will most likely need a professional electrician to run the circuit for you if this happens to be the case. Either way, be sure the power is turned off before installing any hardwired products and follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Some of these products can even be wired into compatible non-smart interconnected alarm systems, allowing you to add some smart features to an entire system by only replacing a single unit.
If you already have First Alert alarms installed, the OneLink's wiring adapter makes installation easy.
Credit: David Wise
The battery-powered versions of the Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector and the Nest Protect are straightforward to install and set up. However, it does take a little extra time if you need to download the app and create an account on your phone. Once you do that, your phone can usually detect the new device and walk you through the setup process.
Emergency Detection
The Nest Protect has a multitude of sensing capabilities, including a split-spectrum smoke sensor for fast and slow-burning fires as well as a carbon monoxide sensor. The Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector and the Onelink Safe & Sound both have photoelectric smoke sensors and electrochemical carbon monoxide sensors. Photoelectric sensors are generally better at picking up smoldering fires, where ionization smoke sensors are faster at picking up flaming fires.
The Nest Protect has split-spectrum sensing to give you the best shot of an early warning for both common types of fires.
Credit: David Wise
The Kidde 21026044 only has an ionization sensor for smoke, so for full protection, you will need to get to make sure you have a separate carbon monoxide sensor. Additionally, the National Fire Protection Association recommends you have both ionization and photoelectric sensors in your home for maximum protection, so consider supplementing your system with separate photoelectric alarms.
It's quite easy to interconnect the Kidde 21026044 detectors.
Credit: David Wise
Other Features
The wired version of the Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector, the Nest Protect, and the Onelink Safe & Sound all have an integrated nightlight. We appreciate that you can set the light on the Nest Protect to activate with a motion sensor, instead of staying on all night like the Safe & Sound. The Onelink's light, however, offers you the option of changing its color.
You have the full spectrum of colors available when it comes to selecting your nightlight with the Safe & Sound.
You can customize the brightness of the light on this alarm or even turn it off entirely.
The Onelink Safe & Sound also includes an integrated wireless speaker with the Alexa voice assistant built right in. You can stream music through it or perform other common Alexa tasks, like setting an alarm or timer.
This smoke alarm gives you all the features of an Alexa device and a Bluetooth speaker, built right in.
Credit: David Wise
We like that you can hush any false alarms on the Nest Protect or the Onelink models through their respective apps. You can silence all of the Kidde 21026044 interconnected alarms by pressing a hush button on one alarming unit.
Smart Home Integration
One of the benefits of having a smart smoke detector is the ability to integrate it into your existing smart home. Unfortunately, you are a little more limited with these products when it comes to interfacing with third-party products, like Hue Lights or WeMo smart plugs, especially with the end of the "Works with Nest" program and the lack of IFTTT integration for the Onelink alarms. However, this changes all the time, so you should always double-check that you can actually use the smart features you want to before you buy anything.
The Nest Protect connects to the Google Home ecosystem and has a handful of smart functions accessible in the Nest app. For example, you can select certain cameras to start recording and create a clip if the alarm is triggered or have Nest turn off your heating system if it detects elevated levels of carbon monoxide. That is roughly the limit in terms of other functions, at least for the time being.
The Nest app also keeps a log of any triggered alarms.
It's very easy to integrate the Protect with your other Nest devices.
The Onelink Safe & Sound has all the smart home features an Alexa-enabled speaker would, allowing you to control a myriad of third-party smart items by voice command. It is also Apple HomeKit compatible. The Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector will connect to both of these home automation systems as well. Still, you are fairly limited if you are trying to set up an alarm to trigger other events. However, you can check the status of the smoke detector by asking Alexa. The Echo Dot will send you a notification through your Alexa app if it thinks it heard an alarm sound, but only if it has been placed into Guard mode.
You have to set Alexa to away mode to receive alerts if an alarm is triggered.
Alexa will send you a push notification if it thinks it heard an alarm or if it thinks it heard breaking glass, depending on how you configure it.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this review was able to help you identify the perfect smart smoke alarm for your home, whether you are looking for a premium all-in-one smart solution or a basic low-cost listener. Also, make sure to check your local rules and regulations, as well as the National Fire Protection Association guidelines, when it comes to the number of alarms and their placement in your home.
